Spring Romance: NINE Happily Ever Afters

by Tessa Bailey

  It is a perfect moment.

  He eases his weight off, holding himself over me as he cradles my jaw and kisses me. “Rest now. I’ve got plans for you.”

  I’m too sated to move, the words form slowly in my dreamy state. “Should I be concerned?”

  His eyes are warm on mine. “Only if multiple orgasms concern you.”

  I smile what I’m sure is a goofy wide smile. “I think I lo—” I clamp my mouth shut.

  He stills. I stare at his chin, unable to meet his eyes, desperately wishing I could take it back.

  He rolls off me and out of bed.

  I scrunch my eyes shut tight, berating myself for blurting what is probably just emotional stuff coming up because I haven’t been with anyone since my ex. I scared him off. Nice going, Ruby. You and your bubble. Oh, sure, we’ll be casual, only a happy memory.

  The music shuts off abruptly. The silence stark. Party’s over. I thought we’d stay the night, but I ruined it. Now it’s one and done.

  I sit up, thinking I should get dressed. Obviously I suck at this casual thing. But wait—

  Phillip is coming back to me. He’s naked, gloriously proudly naked, carrying the champagne and chocolate, two fluted glasses dangling between the fingers of one hand.

  My eyes water, and I press my lips tightly together. He’s not leaving. I didn’t ruin everything.

  He sets everything on the nightstand. Then he drags the covers onto the bottom of the bed, nudges me flat on my back, and pulls them over me too. He joins me without a word.

  I remain lying on my back, mouth clamped shut, unsure what to say, if anything. Should I pretend I didn’t almost blurt out the L word?

  He’s on his back next to me and shifts to his side, facing me. “Ruby.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Finish your sentence.”

  I gulp and stare at the ceiling. “What sentence?”

  His warm hand slides to my stomach. “You know which sentence.”

  I consider my options—denial, compliance—and the potential consequences. My tender heart needs protection. I’m such an idiot for thinking I could do casual. Now my heart’s swinging in the wind. “Why?”

  “I want to hear it.”

  I can’t go there. It’s too risky. “It was just a reaction in the moment. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  His hand slides up my ribs. “Just the orgasm speaking?”

  I laugh a little. “Yeah.”

  “I see.” He pulls me into his arms, chest to chest, and tucks my head under his chin, cupping my head with one hand. He lets out a breath and murmurs, “I hope it will speak again because…I think I do too.”

  I can’t breathe. He’s in love with me too. My heart races. How did we get here so fast? And what am I supposed to do with this incredible gift?

  Chapter Ten

  Phillip

  I lie in the dark, holding Ruby, who fits in my arms perfectly, my mind turning over next steps. I can’t help but think—despite the terrible timing, despite both our baggage—that this is a good thing. She has strong feelings for me, and I’ve been trying to deny mine, but it’s no use. I already thought we were compatible, but now that we’ve finally crossed the line, I know we are, in every important way. She was made for me, my soul mate. She doesn’t care about my title, my wealth, my stupid royal hottie moniker. She sees the real me. Unlike my previous girlfriends, she doesn’t have a vain, shallow bone in her body. She’s warm, honest, open, a bright bundle of energy that I want to keep close. The moment I stopped looking for her, she came into my life.

  I breathe her in, the soft floral scent of her shampoo and something sweet that’s distinctly Ruby. She rolls to her other side with a soft sigh. She’s sleeping. I spoon her from behind, turned on by the contact but also sleepy. My mind drifts and I close my eyes.

  I must’ve fallen asleep. I wake with one hand on her breast and the other between her legs. She’s hot and wet.

  “Are you awake?” I ask, mildly alarmed I was messing with her while she slept.

  She whispers over her shoulder, “Yeah. I put your hands where I needed them, hoping you’d wake up and get the hint.”

  I smile. Get the hint. She is definitely made for me—playful, sexy, and fun. “Hang on.” I grab another condom from where I stashed them earlier, roll it on, and spoon her again, except this time I thrust inside her. I hear her sharp intake of breath. She’s petite, tight, and in this position, even tighter. She feels fucking amazing. I open her leg wide and pull it back to rest over mine; then I slide my hand right back where she wanted it, stroking her rapidly. She arches back into me as if to escape my fingers, but I’ve got her caught, pushing her hard to the edge as I slowly pump into her. I loved making her break earlier, a complete shuddering surrender that made my inner caveman roar in triumph. I didn’t know I needed that until she gave it to me.

  She reaches back, her nails digging into my shoulders, her back arched, soft cries escaping that make me thicker and harder. I force myself to pump slow, wanting to prolong it for her.

  “Phillip!”

  I soften my touch and she goes limp, her nails releasing their hold, her back relaxing against me. Her response to my touch is intense. It consumes her just as it does me.

  I kiss along her neck, the satin skin hot to the touch. She angles her head to give me better access. I slide my hand up her flat stomach to her soft breast, cupping it, and then shift, clamping my fingers on her nipple. She jolts, and I release her nipple, sliding my hand back to pleasure central as I thrust steadily inside her, slow and deep. Then I keep my hand still, cupping her between the legs as I let the feeling build inside me. She feels incredible, tight and hot, and it takes every ounce of willpower to hold back.

  She arches back into me over and over, taking me deeper, her breath coming in short pants. Then she grabs my hand and makes my fingers stroke her.

  I thrust deep, holding her tight to me, and give her neck a nip. “Tell me what you want.”

  “Your fingers,” she gasps out. “I swear you know when I’m close and you’re toying with me!”

  I strum her lightly with my thumb, and her breath shudders out. “You’re so much fun to play with I can’t help but toy with you.”

  She growls in frustration, and I give her a little more. She whimpers, and I give her even more, my touch firmer, my thrusts faster. She arches back against me, her hand reaching back and gripping my hair.

  “You’ll come when I let you,” I whisper in her ear. She shivers, and I clamp her still, cupping her between the legs firmly, my cock buried deep inside. She moans softly and relaxes into me, a surrender. A vision of tying her up flashes through my mind, and I surge deep, thrusting over and over. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Hang on. I need her with me.

  I stroke her softly, allowing myself another deep thrust. Her moans turn to a keening sound that fills my ears like a roar. Her body clamps down around me, and I give her what she needs, sending her over the edge. She breaks on a harsh cry, her body shuddering around me. I pump hard and deep, racing toward my own release, her soft cries spurring me on, and then I let go, the climax slamming hard in a rush of pleasure. I hold her tight to me, my body racked with it, still pumping, the sensation incredible. Finally I still, holding her in my arms.

  We’re both breathing hard, our bodies slick with sweat. She goes limp. That means I did my job right.

  I stroke her hair back from her face and smooth it over her shoulder.

  She hums a happy sound. “Phillip?”

  I stroke her hair again, loving the silky feel of it. “What is it? Let me guess, you want to thank me for a thoroughly satisfying fuck.”

  She turns to look at me over her shoulder, her eyes heavy-lidded. “I am so getting you back.” She flops onto the mattress on her stomach.

  I grin and caress the sweet curve of her bottom. “I look forward to it.”

  No response. I think I wore her out again.

  * * *

  Ruby

  Is it wron
g that I invited Phillip into the bath and then teased him mercilessly, rubbing against him, stroking him, and then asking him to wash me before retreating to the other side of the tub? That is called payback, people, and no one deserved it more than him. He gets off on holding me hostage, milliseconds from orgasm, and then pulling me back to square one. So I’ve kept him at square one for nearly an hour now, and I am loving it. Hmm, maybe I get off on it too. Could we be better matched? A twinge of sadness pierces my happy bubble. I’m heading home soon, and he’s going on a global tour for who knows how long? A year or more. We’re so different, it doesn’t make sense why we fit so well together.

  “C’mere, Ruby,” he croons from across the tub. “This champagne has your name on it.”

  I don’t move because I suspect he’s about to let loose his own form of payback. This is my party. His big hand clamps around my ankle and gives me a tug. Not hard enough to pull me under, just enough to nudge me. I ignore the hint and redo my hair in its messy updo with the hair band I found in my purse. His hand slides up my calf to my knee, pushing my leg open. A definite forward move in the sensual torture game.

  “You’re sneaky,” I tell him, rapidly finishing my hair.

  He grips my thigh and glides me through the water to him, bringing the champagne glass to my lips. I take a sip, and he takes a sip from it too, his aquamarine eyes intent on mine. I could drown in those eyes. All of me warms from throat to chest to belly just from one look.

  I break eye contact and peer around him. “Where’s the chocolate? We should have that with the champagne.” It’s the wee hours of the morning, around four a.m. last I checked. Chocolate sounds like a great early breakfast and I’m hungry.

  He doesn’t reply; instead he gives me more champagne, tipping the glass up for me to take a healthy swallow. I don’t mind. It’s delicious, better than any champagne I’ve ever had. He finishes the rest and sets the glass back on the tub’s ledge.

  He cradles my face with both hands. “I’m going to tell you something, and I don’t want you to be mad.”

  I blink. Normally I’d tense for bad news, but it’s impossible after soaking in this relaxing bath, getting multiple orgasms wrung out of me, and drinking champagne on an empty stomach. “What is it?”

  A smile plays over his lips. “That wasn’t a box of chocolate I had delivered. It was a box of condoms.”

  I splash him. “Phillip! I was looking forward to that chocolate!”

  He laughs and wipes the water from his eyes. “You want me to order some chocolate?”

  “God, no. They’d think we need more condoms.”

  “I’ll be clear what we really want.”

  I flush, imagining that conversation. No, not condoms this time, we’re still putting those to good use, thanks. Yes, I want candy in the box. “No, thanks.”

  “Okay.”

  I put my hands to my overheated cheeks. “I’m so embarrassed.”

  “You wanted me so badly. What was I supposed to do? Deny you your baser urges while I took a trip to the pharmacy?” He cups his hands over his mouth and announces, “Hallo, everyone! Prince Phillip Rourke is in need of a box of condoms!”

  I laugh.

  He grins. “I had to be discreet.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me what it was?”

  He cups the back of my neck and pulls me in for a quick kiss. “Because you were already jumpy about the guards being nearby, and I didn’t want you even more jumpy knowing I asked the concierge to hide a dozen condoms in a chocolatier box. Yet another reason it’s good you don’t understand French. I can surprise you with thoughtful condom gifts.”

  “That was thoughtful.” I beam at him. I can’t help it. His consideration of my feelings is beyond what I thought any man was capable of. “Wait, you wouldn’t use my ignorance of French against me, would you?”

  He puts a hand to his heart. “You wound me. Now thank me for the condoms.”

  I climb into his lap and wrap my arms and legs around him. “Thank you.”

  He pushes my hair back behind my ear and cradles my jaw. “When you’re with me, you have to get used to being in the public eye. And doing some things a little differently.”

  “Like order condoms disguised as chocolate.”

  He kisses me and smiles against my mouth. “Exactly.”

  And then I kiss him passionately, with everything I’m feeling for this wonderful man. There’s only hunger and a need that grows more intense with every joining. I need this. I need him.

  * * *

  Hours later, I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a plush white towel. Phillip is still in the shower, his palms flat against the tile wall, his head hanging low as he catches his breath. I’m pretty pleased with my work there. This is a fun game. After our bath, we went back to the bed, made love, slept, made love again, and then hours later made it to the shower. I just gave him a blowjob he won’t soon recover from. It was only fair after he asked me so politely to please allow him to tie me to the bedposts and then claimed control of my orgasms. I swear I blacked out after the fifth one.

  I grab another towel and snap his ass with it. He straightens and narrows his eyes at me.

  “Move it, Rourke. We need to get dressed so we can get something to eat.”

  He grabs the towel, wraps it around his waist, and steps into my personal space. “You are high on power.”

  I grin. “I am. You have only yourself to blame. You taught me the game.”

  He wraps my hair around his fist and gives a tug, tilting my face up for his kiss. “I fucking love it.” Only it sounds like I love you. Fierce, intense, heartfelt.

  I stare at him, searching his features, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Neither of us has actually said it full out. It terrifies and elates me at the same time.

  He gazes down at me steadily. “Come with me on the Global Sun Water tour.”

  I swallow down the lump of emotion. “Phillip, I know we’ve had a wonderful night together, but we agreed on a limit.”

  “It’s only five weeks.”

  “I need to get home.”

  He drops his grip on my hair, and I step out of the steamy bathroom, searching for my clothes, which I haven’t worn since we stepped into this oasis of a hotel room.

  He watches me for a moment and then turns from me, gathering his clothes. We dress in silence.

  Back to reality.

  He orders us lunch from room service. It’s awkward now. I wring my hands together, hating that it’s gotten to this point after all the fun and, yes, real affection between us.

  “I’m going to check in with the guards,” he says and leaves.

  I wander to the window, not really seeing anything, suddenly exhausted. I slept only in short intervals last night. Somehow I know a long night’s sleep won’t be enough to ease the heaviness in my limbs. I have to go home. I have a chance at a real career waiting for me there. My baby sister will be here soon. My career and family are important to me. And I don’t kid myself that five weeks more with Phillip will be easy to walk away from. I’m falling for him and I’ll only get in deeper. That doesn’t mean I’ll get commitment back from him either. All I’ll get is hurt. And I’m not ready to go to that dark place again.

  I did the right thing turning him down. My gut knots, and I take a deep shuddering breath. No matter how shitty it feels right now, the answer has to be no.

  Phillip returns a few minutes later. He takes my hand and guides me to the sofa, sitting next to me. “Hear me out. I’m only asking for five weeks of your time. Go with me just for the tour with Global Sun Water. All expenses paid. No strings. Then you can go back home and I’ll start my work for the UN.”

  I close my eyes for a moment, torn by the earnest sincerity in his voice. It’s so much easier to say no when I’m not looking at him. I remind myself there’s no way that we could extend our time together without a lot more risk to both of our hearts. It’ll only prolong the inevitable breakup. I hazard a glance at him. His eyes
are intent on mine, his expression hopeful.

  I blow out a breath. “Phillip, my career is just starting to get back on track. I’ve got sixteen of Anna’s friends who want me to do a consultation at their homes for them. It will be the first time I’ve ever been an entrepreneur, and I could be a success at it. After the low point I hit, it would mean so much to prove myself. And you know I’ve got a baby sister on the way. I want to be part of her life, a big part. I need to go home.” I leave out the part about the inevitable heartbreak. My heart is already breaking just knowing this is our goodbye.

  “Your new clients can wait five weeks, and your sister won’t be here for four more months. We could have more of this incredible experience together. You enjoyed yourself, right?”

  Maybe I misread his intentions. Here I am wallowing in deep emotions while he sees it as an extended Paris for us, casual and fun. I wish I could just enjoy the moment like he does. Even so, letting myself enjoy the moment, agreeing to five more weeks, will change me. I’ll fall one hundred percent. It will be impossible to protect my heart. The risk is too great. I can’t see how this would work between us long-term with our very different lives, assuming he actually wants a committed relationship. Not at all a sure thing.

  “Phillip—”

  “Just answer the question.” He cups my jaw, his finger stroking the sensitive spot under my ear, drawing a shiver. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Yes,” I breathe. I can’t resist his touch, can’t help but melt.

  He flashes a smile. “So let’s keep it going. Why turn away from a good thing?”

  I swallow hard, forcing myself to ask, “You mean this would be our Global Sun Water bubble?” I need to know where he stands—casual fun or something more.

  He leans close, looking deep into my eyes. “No more bubble. This is you and me. I know the timing is bad with us both heading in different directions. I know you have a life back home. But, Ruby, I have feelings, deep feelings, and, if you do too, I think we should give it a chance. Just a little more time.”